LONDONDERRY — They may be rivals on the playing field, but members of the Londonderry High School and Andover (Mass.) High School lacrosse teams will share one common mission today — to wipe out cancer.

During this afternoon’s varsity and junior varsity lacrosse games in Londonderry, the teams will raise money for the HEADstrong Foundation. The freshman team will also help with the fundraiser during its game against Winnacunnet.

LHS varsity coach Joe McCune said he and assistant coach Rusty Brand learned about the HEADstrong Foundation last year, and both agreed they wanted to encourage the young athletes to give back.

Since then, Londonderry lacrosse players have been donating 20 percent of their booster proceeds to the charity. Today, the Andover and LHS teams will be wearing special HEADstrong shirts and shorts. Local sports fans are being encouraged to wear green to the game and donate toward the cause.

Founded in 2006, HEADstrong’s mission is inspired by Pennsylvania native Nicholas Colleluori, who was an athlete at Hofstra University when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma., an aggressive blood cancer.

Colleluori lost his battle with the disease at age 21, but his efforts to assist others waging similar battles continue on. Since its inception, HEADstrong has raised more than $2 million toward cancer research.

Today’s LHS-Andover game will begin at 4:30 p.m. on the Londonderry lacrosse fields.

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